PIERRE — Republican leaders in the South Dakota House of Representatives defended their actions following an altercation between two lawmakers and denied allegations that a legislator swore at a colleague.

Qualm also said Republican leaders sought to resolve the conflict in GOP caucus meetings but encouraged DiSanto to press forward with an investigation if that was what she wanted.

And contrary to DiSanto's reports that House Speaker Mark Mickelson told her to drop the investigation as it could give the caucus a "black eye," Qualm said she was not pressured to end the investigation.

"We never once said not to move forward with the process if that's what they wanted to do," Qualm said.

The House on Friday voted to form a Select Committee on Discipline and Expulsion to investigate the incident. Then on Monday, representatives with DiSanto's support voted to disband the committee.

On Tuesday, House leaders released security footage of the argument, which had previously been withheld by the Department of Public Safety. At that time, DiSanto said the video, because it was released without sound, couldn't completely convey the exchange.